Dublin news stories (Week ending 23/10/11)

1. First English edition of Ulysses among attractions at new Dublin museum

The first English language copy of James Joyce’s Ulysses is among attractions at a new Dublin museum opened to fill the gap left by the closure of the capital’s civic museum nearly a decade ago. A death mask of the writer himself is also one of the 400 artefacts – all of which were donated by the people of the city – on display at The Little Museum of Dublin.

Director Trevor White said: “This is the people’s museum of Dublin.” Sited on St Stephen’s Green, he said it served as a biography for the city, mapping its history during the 20th century. “It charts the social, cultural and political history of the city through artefacts donated by ordinary Dubliners,” he explained. Dublin Civic Museum on South William Street closed down in 2003 after 50 years. Mr White said its closure had left a huge void. “Since the civic museum closed, Dublin hasn’t had a museum of its own,” he said. The project, supported by Dublin City Council, has been just five months in the making. – The Irish Independent (21/10/11)

The Little Museum of Dublin. Photograph: Alan Betson

2. Veteran (Dublin) journalist Cathal O’Shannon dies at 83

Cathal O’Shannon, who has died aged 83, was a mould- breaking journalist in the print and broadcasting media over several decades. He worked with The Irish Times , RTÉ and the BBC and as a public relations consultant in a long and distinguished career.

Born into what he described as a “household full of books” in Marino, north Dublin, he lied about his age and joined the Royal Air Force in the second World War with his friend Fred O’Donovan, who later became chairman of the RTÉ Authority. After three years in the Far East he returned to Dublin and was hired on the journalistic staff by Irish Times editor RM Smyllie in 1949. For some years he used the name Cathal Óg O’Shannon to distinguish himself from his father, Cathal O’Shannon, a trade unionist and columnist with the since defunct Evening Press . - The Irish Times (24/10/11)

Cathal O'Shannon (1928 - 2011)

3. Flash floods spark emergency in Dublin

Two people died and hundreds were stranded in Ireland after torrential rain closed roads and rail lines, left shops and homes under water and led to Dublin being put on an emergency footing. More than one month’s rain fell on Dublin in 24 hours, causing rivers to break their banks and flooding the country’s largest shopping centre. – The Guardian (25/10/11)

A piece of garden decking, still with pot plants intact, floats down the Liffey near Heuston Station, Dublin. Image: @AlanWall77